Lawyer (MG5)

Job Category : Legal (Specialist)
Location : Civic Centre, Bromley Council
Hours Per Week : 36.00
Start Date : Immediate Start
Start Time : 08:30
End Time : 17:00
Salary: £33.10

Planning/highway law with particular refence to planning enforcement.
MAIN PURPOSE:
To manage own caseload

To provide legal advice to the Council
SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

1. To manage own caseload, dealing with the more routine cases, with some supervision at the lower end of the grade and progressing through to the more complex cases, with a lesser level of supervision at the top end of the grade.
2. To provide legal advice to officers and elected members.
3. To conduct proceedings in courts and tribunals, including preparation of witness statements and assisting officers in the preparation of court documentation.
4. To undertake advocacy work for the Council in County Courts, High Courts or Tribunals.
5. To take part in department projects and inter-departmental projects.
6. To contribute to the effective performance of Legal Services, in particular:

⦁ Keeping the Team Leader informed of any problems and issues in a timely and constructive manner.
⦁ Assisting in the provision of statistical information to help the department monitor its service delivery.
⦁ Using the time recording and electronic case management system
⦁ To provide training to members, client Department, and other lawyers in the team

1. To provide customers with output and service delivery as specified in the service level agreement.
2. To work with external stakeholders and members as necessary.
3. To participate fully in the Council’s performance appraisal and personal development process in order to develop and enhance personal performance and service delivery.
4. To implement the Council’s equal opportunities policies and its statutory responsibility with regard to other individuals and service delivery.
5. To undertake any other duties commensurate with the level of the post, as required to ensure the efficient and effective running of the Department / Section.
6. To give expert legal advice on planning law, planning enforcement, licensing law and conduct proceedings in court and public enquiries, give legal advice in relation to data protection, Freedom of Information Act requests, and other areas of local government law.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Good interpersonal and communication skills (both written and verbal).

Ability to build effective relationships with Council members, officers, external stakeholders and other legal team members.

Can handle a varied caseload and can perform effectively under pressure.

Can prioritise work and manage conflicting deadlines.

Good team player, support others and has a strong desire to achieve the overall team goal.

Self reliant, can work effectively on own.

Positive and flexible approach to work and will undertake work outside of area of expertise during busy periods.

Analytical and creative approach to problem solving and decision making.

Good IT skills and ability to use electronic case management and time recording system

KNOWLEDGE

⦁ Specialist knowledge of planning law and planning enforcement
⦁ Knowledge of civil litigation
⦁ Broad knowledge of highways law, licensing law, local government law, data protection law and the Freedom of Information Act.
⦁ Knowledge and experience of committee work, involving members.
⦁ Willingness to adapt to new areas of law

EXPERIENCE

• Experience of advising on planning law and drafting planning agreements
• Experience of planning enforcement work
• Experience of civil litigation and other areas of law
• Experience of working in local government
• Experience of researching and advising on complex legal matters
• Experience of Licensing Law
• Experience of appearing before courts and tribunals as an advocate

QUALIFICATIONS

Qualified barrister, solicitor or legal executive with a full practising certificate.